Kay Yow Cancer Fund and NJCAA Launch National Partnership

Charlotte, NC - The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced the partnership with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) have announced a three-year national partnership—marking the NJCAA's first-ever official charity designation.

Coach Kay Yow, Hall of Fame basketball coach and 22-year breast cancer survivor, believed in the power of sports to unite people and drive change. During her own cancer battle, she sketched a dream on the back of a napkin: rally 5,000 teams to each give $1,000 to raise $5 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women.

That vision became the Kay Yow Cancer Fund—founded to expand access to care, support women through treatment, and celebrate survivorship. Since then, the Fund has awarded $9.5 million to scientific research and programs that serve the under-resourced, uniting people in the fight against cancer.

Today, that vision takes a bold new step.

"This partnership is a powerful step toward realizing Coach Yow's vision," said Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. "She believed in the ability of sport to bring people together for something greater. By joining forces with the NJCAA, we're expanding our mission—bringing education, access, and hope to more campuses, athletes, and communities nationwide.

A Game-Changing Commitment to Women's Health Equity

Every minute, a woman is diagnosed with cancer. For those in under-resourced areas, barriers like long travel distances, financial limitations, and fewer screening resources can turn a treatable disease into a deadly one. Women in rural areas, for example, are 22% more likely to die from cervical cancer.

This partnership is about changing that reality.

Together, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and NJCAA will bring critical education, support, and services into the communities where student-athletes live, learn, and lead—breaking down barriers and building a healthier future for all women.

Turning Purpose Into Action: Sport as a Catalyst for Change

This partnership is built around a holistic approach to fighting cancer—integrating community, education, and access to care. It reflects our belief that saving lives requires more than awareness—it demands systems of support, mobilized resources, and empowered communities.

To launch this initiative, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the NJCAA will begin with women's basketball, softball, and volleyball activating campuses through the Play4Kay initiative. These efforts will take place this winter, spring, and fall creating seasonal waves of engagement, education, and impact.

Through Play4Kay games, NJCAA member schools will honor survivors and raise funds to fuel the mission. Access grants will be provided by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to support screenings, transportation, and outreach in under-resourced NJCAA communities. And the EmPOWERment Tour will educate and equip student-athletes to lead change beyond the court.

"As a cancer survivor, this partnership holds deep personal meaning for me. Cancer will impact 1 in 3 women in their lifetime, and we are honored to partner with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in the fight to save lives. This is an opportunity for the NJCAA to leave a lasting impact beyond the playing fields and within the communities that we serve through education, research and early detection" said Michelle Meadows, Senior Vice President, COO & CFO of the NJCAA.

28 NJCAA institutions have hosted Play4Kay events over the last few years, laying the foundation for a nationwide movement powered by athletes, coaches, and campus communities.

"Our players aren't just chasing wins—they're playing for something bigger," said Robin Pate, Athletic Director at Wake Tech Community College. "Coach Yow's legacy lives on through their leadership."

"This puts action behind our mission," added Palmateer. "Together, we're not just raising awareness, we're saving lives."

This is more than a partnership, it's a nationwide movement fueled by purpose, powered by people, and focused on saving lives.

More screenings. More education. More community support. More lives saved.

To learn more or get involved, visit www.kayyow.com.

About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization's namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women's basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to raising money for life-saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare, and uniting people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $9.5 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit www.KayYow.com.

About the NJCAA
Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes with opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed, and achieve in both their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second-largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States, with 514 member schools and 3,400 teams competing in 30 different sports. Each year, the NJCAA sponsors 57 national championships and invitationals.

#SameGameSameRules – visit NJCAA for more information